1. Polychaete Worms (pol-i-keet)

2. Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Annelida (segmented worms)
Class Polychaeta
5000 species
Nearly all marine

3. Structure Segmentation Organs Compartments Separated by septa (shallow
partitions)
Organs
Systems
Digestive
Circulatory
Nervous

4. Examples

5. Clam Worm Nereis Minimal specialization Typical polychaete body
Repeated identical body segments
Parapodia
Paired paddle-shaped appendages
Setae move parapodia and are connected to muscles

6. Nereis structure Head 2 segments Prostomium Sensory – Light,
chemical, tactile
Peristomium
Mouth
Contains the proboscis
Folded structure that can extend from body with muscles
Holds jaws that move with body’s fluid pressure

7. Clam Worm Diet Habitat Carnivores Omnivores Including scavengers
Herbivores
Habitat
Rocky intertidal
Burrow into mud and sand flats

8. Blood Worm Glycera Structure Possesses large proboscis
1/5 of body length
Has 4 short antennae
Each with a poison gland
Sense changes in water pressure
Can be as large as 20 in
Makes nest of galleries (burrows)

10. Lug Worm Arenicola Deposit feeder Makes an L-shaped burrow
Opens its mouth to pass sand through it’s digestive system
Removes organic matter (nutrients)
Creates a fecal mound (caste)